Powder Coating

Powder coatings are finding favor with the Air Force due to their reduction in hazardous waste streams since it is a 100% solids process. Unfortunately, traditional methods are not easily adaptable to large parts, as they can not be placed into an oven for curing. The development of an effective ultraviolet radiation curing powder coating (UVCPC )would allow larger parts to be easily coated and the coating could be cured in place. Texas Research Institute Austin Inc. (TRI/Austin) proposes a novel UVCPC based in part on previous work in this area. The unique materials will provide the proper cure profile and exhibit excellent mechanical and environmental properties. The goal of the Phase I is to prepare a UVCPC that will readily cure and pass a specified test protocol adapted from MIL-PRF-85285, MIL-PRF-23377, and MIL-PRF-32239. During Phase I, TRI/Austin will be working with a leader in powder coating technology to produce specimens for evaluation. Mechanical and environmental testing will show that the coating technology could be a drop-in replacement for current military specification coatings. The novel materials proposed for this effort will result in a high quality powder coating that will find application on aircraft and other platforms. BENEFIT: The advanced UVCPC will be beneficial as an environmentally friendly replacement to current solvent based systems on military aircraft. Additional applications for this novel technology would include Navy aircraft, surface ships, and submarines, as well as support equipment for all DoD agencies. Commercial applications would include decorative coatings, particularly for those that require a reduced heat cure.